News - Washington Senate Democrats

WA Senate MOCC: Threatening Remarks by Sheriff Swank Raise Serious Concerns for Communities of Color

by sdcadminJan 23 20260 Comments

WA Senate MOCC: Threatening Remarks by Sheriff Swank Raise Serious Concerns for Communities of Color The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) is deeply concerned about the conduct and public statements of Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank during his testimony before the Senate Law & Justice Committee and the impact those remarks have on communities of color across Washington state. During a public legislative hearing, Sheriff Swank rejected the authority of the Legislature, stated his intent to defy laws he disagrees with, and made remarks widely perceived as threatening. He asserted that if efforts were made ...

Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus Condemns ICE Access to State Databases

by sdcadminJan 12 20260 Comments

The Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) remains deeply concerned about a recent study published by the University of Washington Center for Human Rights that alleges Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to access state agency databases to identify and target individuals for immigration enforcement. This occurs despite a decade of state laws and policies designed to protect immigrant Washingtonians, including the Keep Washington Working Act, passed by the Legislature in 2019. “The Keep Washington Working Act was passed to prevent the types of incidents we are now seeing, and we call upon the governor to ensure agency compliance immediately. It is ...

WA Senate MOCC Honors the Legacy of Dr. Bernal C. Baca

by sdcadminDec 12 20250 Comments

The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) joins communities across Washington state in grieving the loss of Dr. Bernal C. Baca — a teacher, organizer and advocate whose leadership transformed our state. Dr. Baca dedicated his life to expanding opportunity for communities of color, working tirelessly to advance racial equity in education, labor and public policy. Over many decades, he shaped Washington’s institutions as an educator, union leader, nonprofit director and statewide board member, collaborating with policymakers to shape legislation that ...

WA Senate MOCC Condemns Racist Rhetoric, Stands with Somali Washingtonians

by sdcadminDec 11 20250 Comments

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) strongly condemns the latest barrage of hateful, racist, and dehumanizing remarks from President Donald Trump targeting Somali immigrants and Somali American communities. His comments — calling human beings “garbage,” telling families to “go back to where they came from,” and denying the legitimacy of an entire nation — are morally reprehensible and pose a direct threat to the safety and dignity of people who call Washington home. These remarks are not isolated. They are part of a long, dangerous pattern of using racism as ...

WA Lawmakers to Trump: We Will Not Be Intimidated

by sdcadminJun 13 20250 Comments

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OLYMPIA – Today, Washington State legislators from the Members of Color Caucus are sounding the alarm and standing united against President Trump’s dangerous escalation of immigration enforcement. The reported deployment of ICE special response teams to Seattle, and escalation during peaceful protests in Spokane, combined with the threat of federalizing the National Guard in response to upcoming protests, is not about safety. It is about fear. It is about control. Targeting schools, apartment complexes, and public spaces is not a public safety strategy - it ...

WA Senate MOCC issues statement in response to ongoing deportations

by sdcadminApr 03 20250 Comments

The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) released the following statement Thursday: “The Washington State Senate MOCC recognizes that the recent ICE raids in Washington state have struck at the heart of our communities. These raids don’t just affect individuals; they send shockwaves through entire neighborhoods, disrupt businesses, and create a climate of fear and uncertainty. “The detention of 37 workers at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham and the arrest of longtime farmworker and labor rights advocate Alfredo Juarez in Sedro-Woolley are just two recent examples. When ICE conducts raids, families are ...

WA Senate MOCC: ‘Washington is and will remain a welcoming state’

by sdcadminFeb 07 20250 Comments

The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) issued the following statement in response to the recent wave of federal immigration raids, which have spread fear and instability in communities across Washington state and the nation. “The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus strongly condemns the recent federal immigration raids targeting immigrant communities across the country, including in Washington state. These actions have caused fear, separated families, and disrupted communities who contribute immensely to the economic and cultural fabric of our state. “These raids do not reflect the values of Washington ...

House, Senate Members of Color Caucus chairs issue statement on rent stabilization

by sdcadminFeb 06 20240 Comments

Our communities are begging for housing stability. It is time to listen. This is why both the Senate and House Members of Color caucuses have prioritized stabilizing rent increases (HB 2114/SB 5961) as our top housing policy for the 2024 legislative session. As chairs of our respective caucuses, we are the first to recognize we are not a monolith and don’t aim to become one. We represent diverse interests and districts. As elected leaders of color, we carry multiple truths born of our varied lived experiences. We hold the perspectives of the constituents we ...